Introduction Definition and Overview Penicillamine, chemically known as 2‑p‑aminothiophenol, is a synthetic drug that functions primarily as a chelating agent and a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Its therapeutic utility spans several distinct medical conditions, including Wilson disease, cystinuria, and rheumatoid arthritis. The molecule possesses a free thiol group capable of binding divalent metal ions, particularly…
Introduction Desferrioxamine, commonly referred to as deferoxamine, is a hexadentate siderophore that binds ferric iron with high affinity, facilitating its removal from tissues and plasma. It was first isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces pilosus in the 1950s and subsequently developed into a therapeutic agent for iron overload conditions. Over the decades, desferrioxamine has become a…
Introduction/Overview Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It has markedly altered the therapeutic landscape for HER2‑positive breast and gastric cancers. Understanding its pharmacologic profile is essential for clinicians and pharmacists engaged in oncology practice, as its use requires careful monitoring of…
Introduction/Overview Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 antigen expressed on B lymphocytes. Since its approval in the late 1990s, rituximab has become a cornerstone in the treatment of B‑cell malignancies and several autoimmune disorders. The therapeutic impact of rituximab extends beyond oncology, as it has been incorporated into regimens for conditions…
Introduction/Overview Bleomycin, an antitumor antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces verticillus, has maintained a pivotal position in oncologic therapeutics for several decades. Its unique mechanism of action and relatively favorable toxicity profile compared with other cytotoxic agents have rendered it a cornerstone of combination regimens for malignancies such as germ cell tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, and certain sarcomas….
Introduction Paclitaxel is a semi‑synthetic antineoplastic agent belonging to the taxane class that has become a cornerstone in the treatment of several solid tumours. The drug was isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) in the 1960s and subsequently developed for clinical use after synthetic modifications that improved its potency and…
Introduction 5‑Fluorouracil (5‑FU) is a pyrimidine analog that has been a cornerstone of systemic chemotherapy for decades. It functions primarily as an antimetabolite, disrupting DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells. The drug was first isolated from a bacterium in the 1950s and subsequently introduced into clinical practice in the 1970s, where it demonstrated activity against…
Introduction Praziquantel is a broad‑spectrum anthelmintic agent that has become the cornerstone of treatment for trematode and cestode infections worldwide. Its discovery in the early 1970s marked a pivotal advancement in the control of schistosomiasis and other helminthiases, conditions that pose significant public health burdens in tropical and subtropical regions. The molecule’s unique pharmacodynamic profile,…
Introduction Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is an anthelmintic agent primarily indicated for the treatment of filarial infections, including lymphatic filariasis and loiasis. The drug possesses a distinctive carbamate structure that confers its unique pharmacologic profile. Historically, DEC emerged in the mid‑twentieth century as a response to the limited therapeutic options available for filarial diseases in endemic regions….
Introduction Definition and Overview Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone with broad-spectrum antiparasitic activity. It is predominantly employed against nematode infections, ectoparasites, and certain arthropod-borne diseases. The compound exerts its therapeutic effect through selective binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, leading to hyperpolarization and paralysis of parasites. It is also reported…